Mandatory lead sampling program for public schools now in effect
–The State Water Resources Control Board has notified community water systems statewide that they are now required to complete lead sampling on the drinking water supplies of public schools built before 2010. This new requirement took effect Jan. 1, when Assembly Bill (AB) 746 became law.
Community water systems are required to sample for lead in drinking water at public, K-12 schools and day care and preschools on public school properties. Water systems must complete this mandatory sampling by July 1, 2019. The State Water Board’s Division of Drinking Water will work with community water systems to ensure that all public schools in their service areas that were built before 2010 are sampled. Water systems that fail to comply with the law may face enforcement action from the Division of Drinking Water.
Water systems will conduct sampling at drinking fountains and faucets used for consumption and preparing food. A water system must report the testing results within two business days if any samples show lead levels above 15 parts per billion (ppb). Water systems have 10 business days to report results if samples show lead levels less than, or equal to, 15 ppb.
If a school’s lead level exceeds 15 ppb, then the water system is required to sample water entering the school to help determine the possible source of lead. The school must also take several actions, including shutting down all fountains and faucets with high lead levels, providing potable drinking water until the situation is resolved, and notifying parents and guardians of students. Additional testing may be required to determine if all or just some of the school’s fountains and faucets are required to be shut down.
Private schools are not required to be sampled under AB 746, but may request free sampling under the voluntary Lead Sampling in Schools Program, which remains in effect until Nov. 1, 2019. Public schools that requested and received sampling from their water systems under the voluntary program have met the requirements of AB 746 and do not need to be sampled again.
For more information on the Lead Sampling in Schools Program and information on AB 746, visit the State Water Board’s website.
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